Runoff election appears likely in sheriff race

May 30, 2012

A runoff election appears likely in the race for Hutchinson County Sheriff.
According to unofficial results posted by the Hutchinson County Clerk's Office, Don Johnson received the highest number of votes in the race. He received 1,104 votes, equating to 40.77 percent of the vote.
Michael Lon “Mickey” Blackmon received 906 votes in the primary election, equating to 33.46 percent of the vote. Since neither candidate received 50 percent of the vote, the two will compete in a runoff election set for July 31, 2012.
Chief Deputy James Qualls of the Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office received 698 votes, equating to 25.78 percent of the vote.
The other contested race in Hutchinson County has been decided. S.T. “Red” Isbell will remain in the position of County Commissioner, Precinct 3. He received 448 votes, equating to 63.10 percent of the vote. Challenger Nathan Sargent received 262 votes, equating to 36.90 percent of the vote.
All other races in Hutchinson County were unopposed. Larry Coffman was re-elected as County Commissioner, Precinct 1 with 800 votes. Carrie Kimmell was elected as the new Tax Assessor-Collector for Hutchinson County, receiving 2,162 votes. She will be replacing longtime Tax Assessor-Collector Mary Lou Henderson, who will retire at the end of this year.
Michael D. Milner will serve another term as county attorney, having received 2,226 votes in the primary election. Mark W. Snider will also continue his service as District Attorney for the 84th Judicial District, having received 2,161 votes in the primary election. William D. “Bill” Smith will continue serving as District Judge for the 84th Judicial District, having received 2,256 votes.
Kendell McWilliams will continue his service as Constable, Precinct 1, having received 870 votes, and Ron Cromer will continue serving as Constable, Precinct 2, having received 1,326 votes.
Mary Kay Phelan will continue her service as the Republican County Chairman, having received 2,130 votes in the primary election. John Curnutt will also continue his service as the Democratic County Chairman, having received 91 votes.
In the race for the Republican nomination for President of the United States, Mitt Romney received 992,288 votes across the State of Texas, equating to 68.97 percent of the vote. The win gives him the delegates he needs to clinch the nomination.
Romney was also the heavy favorite in Hutchinson County, having received 1,957 votes, equating to 73.35 percent of the vote.
However, it does appear there will be runoff in the race for United States Senator. David Dewhurst, who has been serving as Lieutenant Governor, received 621,850 votes, equating to 44.59 percent of the vote. Ted Cruz came in second with 477,428 votes, equating to 34.23 percent of the vote. The two will square off in the runoff election on July 31.
In Hutchinson County, Dewhurst received 1,508 votes, equating to 58.59 percent of the vote. Cruz received 631 votes, equating to 24.51 percent of the vote.
Mac Thornberry will continue his service as the United States Representative for District 13. He received 47,251 votes statewide, equating to 77.59 percent of the vote. Challenger Pamela Lee Barlow received 13,643 votes, equating to 22.40 percent of the vote. (375 of 376 precincts reporting)
In Hutchinson County, Thornberry received 2,100 votes (80.77 percent of the vote) and Barlow received 500 votes (19.23 percent of the vote).
Another runoff appears to be likely in the race for Texas Railroad Commissioner. Across the State of Texas, Christi Craddick received 417,399 votes (35.84 percent). Warren Chisum came in second with 317,725 votes (27.28 percent).
In Hutchinson County, Chisum received 1,816 votes (71.38 percent) and Craddick received 412 votes (16.19 percent).
It also appears there will be a runoff for the position of Railroad Commissioner (unexpired term). Across the State of Texas, incumbent Barry Smitherman received 492,764 votes (44.22 percent). Greg Parker came in second with 309,441 votes (27.76 percent).
In Hutchinson County, Parker received 882 votes (39.98 percent) and Smitherman received 700 votes (31.73 percent).
In the race for Justice, Supreme Court, Place 2, Don Willett will retain his seat. He received 639,011 votes statewide (56.81 percent). His challenger Steve Smith received 485,800 votes (43.18 percent).
In Hutchinson County, Smith was the top vote-getter, with 1,259 votes (57.23 percent). Willett received 941 votes (42.77 percent).
A runoff also appears to be likely in the race for Justice, Supreme Court, Place 4. David Medina received 430,092 votes (39.03 percent). John Devine came in second with 354,841 votes (32.20 percent).
In Hutchinson County, Joe Pool, Jr. received the most votes, having received 786 (36.39 percent). Devine received 691 votes (31.99 percent) and Medina received 683 votes (31.62 percent). However, in the statewide race, Pool only received 316,787 votes (28.75 percent).
In the race for Justice, Supreme Court, Place 6, incumbent Nathan Hecht was unopposed and received the Republican nomination with 985,933 votes statewide. In Hutchinson County, he received 1,990 votes.
In the race for Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, incumbent Sharon Keller was unopposed and received the Republican nomination with 993,285 votes statewide. In Hutchinson County, she received 2,000 votes.
In the race for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7, incumbent Republican Barbara Parker Hervey was unopposed, having received 972,875 votes. In Hutchinson County, she received 1,966 votes.
In the race for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8, incumbent Republican Elsa Alcala was unopposed, having received 953,792 votes. In Hutchinson County, she received 1,927 votes.
The Republican race for Member, State Board of Education, District 15, was a close one. However, Marty Rowley narrowly clinched the nomination with 59,450 votes (50.51 percent). Anette Carlisle received 58,228 votes (49.48 percent).
In Hutchinson County, Carlisle received 1,408 votes (62.86 percent), and Rowley received 832 votes (37.14 percent).
Kel Seliger will continue serving as the State Senator for District 31. Statewide he received 49,954 votes (75.90 percent) over challenger Randy Rives, who received 15,856 votes (24.09 percent).
In Hutchinson County, Seliger received 2,176 votes (83.09 percent) and Rives received 443 votes (16.91 percent).
Statewide totals for the State Representative, District 87 race were not available at press time. However, incumbent Four Price, who was the only Republican who filed in the primary, received 2,207 votes in Hutchinson County.
Statewide totals for the races of Justice, 7th Court of Appeals, Place 2 and Justice, Seventh Court of Appeals, Place 3 were also not available at press time. However, in Hutchinson County, Mackey K. Hancock received 1,954 votes for Place 2 and Pat Pirtle received 1,999 votes for Place 3. Neither were opposed.
Several propositions were also on this year's Republican ballot. Proposition 1, which allows parents the freedom to choose their child's school, received 1,173,049 votes for (84.56 percent) and 214,171 votes against (15.43 percent) across the state. In Hutchinson County, 2,242 votes were cast for the proposition (85.54 percent) and 379 votes (14.46 percent) were cast against it.
Proposition 2, which pertained to repealing Obamacare, received 1,313,081 votes for (92.85 percent) and 101,777 votes against (7.14 percent) across the state. In Hutchinson County, 2,497 votes were cast for the proposition (94.44 percent) and 147 votes were cast against the proposition (5.56 percent).
Proposition 3, which prohibits the restriction of public prayer, received 1,296,234 votes for (91.30 percent) and 123,427 votes against (8.69 percent) across the state. In Hutchinson County, the proposition received 2,528 votes for (94.29 percent) and 153 votes against (5.71 percent).
Proposition 4, which pertains to limiting any increase in government spending, received 1,315,749 votes for (93.99 percent) and 83,986 votes against (six percent) across the state. In Hutchinson County, the proposition received 2,544 votes for (96.77 percent) and 85 votes against (3.23 percent).
Proposition 5, which pertains to the redrawing of Congress and State legislative districts in session, received 992,224 votes for (75.58 percent) and 320,505 votes against (24.41 percent) across the state. In Hutchinson County, the proposition received 1,952 votes for (77.89 percent) and 554 votes against (22.11 percent).
In the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, current president Barack Obama received 516,491 votes for 88.26 percent of the vote. In Hutchinson County, he received 86 votes for 81.13 percent of the vote.
Another runoff also appears likely for the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate race. Paul Sadler received 173,352 votes for 35.12 percent of the vote statewide. Grady Yarbrough came in second with 127,460 votes for 25.82 percent of the vote.
In Hutchinson County, Sadler received 40 votes for 31.24 percent of the vote and Yarbrough received 30 votes for 30.93 percent of the vote.
Dale Henry easily clinched the Democratic nomination to run for Texas Railroad Commissioner. Being the only candidate on the ballot, he received 443,338 votes statewide. In Hutchinson County, he received 89 votes.
Michele Petty clinched the Democratic nomination to run for Justice, Supreme Court, Place 6. She received 435,880 votes statewide. In Hutchinson County, she received 90 votes.
Keith Hampton clinched the Democratic nomination to run for Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals. He received 423,365 votes statewide. In Hutchinson County, he received 89 votes.
No statewide vote tallies were available for the Democratic race for Member, State Board of Education, District 15. However, Steven D. Schafersman received 86 votes in Hutchinson County.
There were also no statewide vote tallies available for the Democratic race for State Representative, District 87. However, Democrat Abel Vosquez received 88 votes in Hutchinson County.
Several propositions were also on the Democratic ballot this year. The first proposition, pertaining to in state high school graduates being eligible for tuition/legal status, received 485,819 votes for (84.97 percent) and 85,920 votes against (15.02 percent) statewide. In Hutchinson County, the proposition received 91 votes for (87.50 percent) and 13 votes against (12.5 percent).
The second proposition, pertaining to legislature fund colleges with affordable tuition and fees, received 532,145 votes for (92.61 percent) and 42,426 votes against (7.38 percent) statewide. In Hutchinson County, the proposition received 99 votes for (95.19 percent) and five votes against (4.81 percent).
The third proposition, pertaining to voting to legalize casino gambling with all funds for education, received 425,394 votes for (73.71 percent) and 151,685 votes against (26.28 percent) statewide. In Hutchinson County, the proposition received 77 votes for (74.76 percent) and 26 votes against (25.24 percent.)